Nicole Ward Gauthier photo
Figure 1: Lower portions of the plant may decline or die-back as a result of Phytophthora root rot. Note excess water puddling. (Photo: Nicole Ward Gauthier)
Figure 2: Phytophthora root rot results in root reduction. (Photo: William M. Brown Jr., Bugwood.org)
Spring rains can create growing conditions that are devastating to most landscape plants. Wet soils are favored by a group of pathogens called water molds, or oomycetes, which cause a range of root and stem diseases.
Water molds are found in most soils, but plant stress and high pathogen numbers can lead to severe disease. One common water mold is Phytophthora. This pathogen is common in Kentucky and has recently been diagnosed causing root rot on numerous plants, such as blueberry, arborvitae, and Colorado blue spruce.
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